Police Punches Lead To $3 Million Lawsuit Against Laurel

LAUREL, Md. (WUSA) --- The City of Laurel and one of its police officers are being sued for three million dollars following the apparent beating of a man arrested in a restaurant parking lot here in the early morning hours of August Fifth.

The arrested man had been thrown out of the restaurant and then re-entered it and attacked a security guard, according to restaurant workers who spoke to 9News Now.

He was handcuffed by Laurel Police officers, and forced to the ground. As the suspect was being escorted to a police cruiser by two officers, local barber Craig Reddix recorded the images on his cell phone camera.

That cell phone video shows the suspect, in handcuffs, being struck in the head, apparently three times, by a Laurel officer who accompanied his blows with profanity.

The city mayor declined a 9News request for an interview on the arrest, citing the pending litigation. He said an internal police investigation will be forwarded to the Prince Georges County State's Attorney to determine whether criminal charges will be brought against the officer who struck the handcuffed man.